As always, our time in Siem Reap melted away and as our departure date of February 1 crept up, we felt the poignancy of leaving and taking our lasts looks around, we became nostalgic before we even left. We rode more than we walked, either three on Eddie”s motorbike, which certainly got the attention of […]
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 22 – Goodbye Siem Reap Hello Phnom Penh Read More »
DEAR TOURIST, you stood on the corner of Pub Street and within five minutes you were preyed upon by tuk-tuk drivers, little girls, and handicapped men, all wanting something from you. As a first timer, we know you are enjoying the scene, the carnival. l like atmosphere, an evening promising Bacchanalian excess. Please allow us
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 21 – Still on Pub Street, a Giant Block Party Read More »
In 1992 when Donald and I first arrived in Siem Reap, the tourists were few and the accommodations almost nil. Our group was billeted into the Grand Angkor, Raffles owned hotel, and the French Conservancy, home to the famous French archeologists of the EFEO (Ecole Francaise d”Extreme Orient). The Grand Angkor Hotel, one of the
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 20 – Siem Reap An Evening Out Read More »
The children raced to the car, reached the wheel before Eddie and after Donald pealed them away one at a time, Eddie reached under the car, slipped on the washer and declared it a per fit. Now for the most important part, the nut. Eddie twists and turns and fiddles, but the nut is too
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 18 – Preah Vihear, the Conclusion Read More »
In the beginning, when tourism was still an abstraction, we would ride out to Tuit”s village on the back of a motorbike, each one of us having our favorite driver. In this way, we had direct contact with the land, riding through clouds of red dust while waving to the people who were not yet
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 14 – Back to the Village of Pom Prei Read More »
The villagers in Pom Prei call him Tuit, which translates into something that refers to being small. His real name is San Sab, and according to Asian tradition, San is his family name and Sab his first name. Part of the sound has to be sucked in and shortened, the other part sung out and
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 13 – Tuit’s Story Read More »
The Australian made Airborne trike which Donald brought to Cambodia in 2002 had served him well and over the years he had many adventures, all of which I tried to describe. Then in January 2010, when Apsara no longer allowed him to fly out of the rice paddy at the village of Pom Prei, his career
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 12 – Donald Flies But Not From His Beloved Rice Paddy Field Read More »
When Donald and I left Cambodia last February, Eddie”s future in Cambodia seemed to be on hold. After Donald”s plane had fallen off his trailer, Donald provided the additional parts and Eddie put the plane back together. As before, he would have the use of Donald”s plane but due to Apsara, the Cambodian organization that
Cambodian Journal 2011: Eddie’s Story Read More »
Our small caravan drove through the town, arrived at the dock, joining the line of assorted vehicles and people waiting to cross the river by ferry. Getting out of our cars, waves of vendors swelled around us and due to the dubious distinction of being the only foreigners, we were the beneficiaries of all their
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 10 – Ferry Crossing at Neak Luong and Time to Leave Read More »
That cohesive group spirit I sensed while the villagers participated in the ceremony was only to be temporary and very soon it became every individual for himself. Over the past years, I have written extensively as to what happens when the few of us hand out a finite amount of items to an infinite number
Cambodian Journal 2011, Part 7 – Time to Hand out the Stuff Read More »
